Aluminum Wheels
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Bklyn,Ny U.S.A
Aluminum Wheels
Hello everyone I have a 79 with the original aluminum rims with the black centers around the lug nut area.I was wondering how everybody gets them to look so good.I have seen pics of members rides and there rims look awesome.Do u send them somewhere to have them redone?How can I get my rims to look that good. Thanks for the info 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Aluminum Wheels (79 vette)
This may be of interest.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=26102
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=26102
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: Aluminum Wheels (79 vette)
Everyone has their own little tricks. This worked for me.
I took the tires off and then used paint remover to strip them down
I then used a scotchbrite (red) pad an gave them a good going over. They looked scratched after this and it's a little scarry but then:
Mothers Wheel Polish with a buffing wheel. Lots and lots
I then repainted the centers with bumper and trim black paint (I used a thin plastic sheet that I was able to roll-up into the size needed to paint the centers and then just put it inside the wheel and shot the black paint into it - you could also just tape up the wheel).
Put the tires back on and
I then put on some new Center Caps (using black RTV to hold them on - just a couple of dabs).
I also put new lugs nuts on.
On the car and a coat of wax.
It took a few hours but it was worth it.
I took the tires off and then used paint remover to strip them down
I then used a scotchbrite (red) pad an gave them a good going over. They looked scratched after this and it's a little scarry but then:
Mothers Wheel Polish with a buffing wheel. Lots and lots
I then repainted the centers with bumper and trim black paint (I used a thin plastic sheet that I was able to roll-up into the size needed to paint the centers and then just put it inside the wheel and shot the black paint into it - you could also just tape up the wheel).
Put the tires back on and
I then put on some new Center Caps (using black RTV to hold them on - just a couple of dabs).
I also put new lugs nuts on.
On the car and a coat of wax.
It took a few hours but it was worth it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
From: Flanders NJ
Re: Aluminum Wheels (79 vette)
A lot of us including me have used Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish on our Factory alloys and have been happy with the results. Comes in a small
Red & White container.
Good Luck!
Red & White container.
Good Luck!
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Rossville TN
Re: Aluminum Wheels (79 vette)
The best product that I have found is GS-27, believe it or not. It dosen't do sh_t for scratches but is the best Alumn. Polish that I have used. It beats mothers, Zap and any other product hands down. Takes half the time as mothers. I have a 81 with just over 20,000 miles on it and trust me I wouldn't use it if it didn't work. Give it a try on a small area first. I promise you won't be dissapointed. Just my $.02 worth
Trent81
Trent81
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